From the President

Lee Gardner Royce

"For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”

When I hear those words, written to people who were suffering in exile and would continue to suffer there for many years to come, I think about what an extraordinary amount of faith it takes to receive that verse. Claiming Jeremiah 29:11 means believing in things hoped for but not seen.

In this issue of the Beacon, you’ll meet people who have been challenged by career changes, suffered the consequences of poor choices, and faced the loss of loved ones. Yet, they cling to Jeremiah 29:11 and their belief in things hoped for but not yet seen. They understand, too, that while they might see glimpses of God’s plan here on earth, the whole picture won’t be revealed to them – or to any of us – this side of Heaven.

Tragedy and struggle are the nature of a fallen world, and each of us will face our own periods of exile. But we can take comfort in Jeremiah 29:11, which reminds us that God always has a plan for us, and that as Christians, we can look forward to a day when we will understand that perfect plan completely.